Why Rest Is Important

This past weekend was full of fun and activity, but after a crazy week, I also made sure to take a day to rest and relax. Rest can sometimes get a bad rap due to the focus that our society puts on productivity and busyness. I'll be the first to admit that sometimes it is really hard to rest, especially when we have to-do lists and schedules that are jam-packed with activities and many demands; however, I have come to realize that in order to be successful, a leader needs to invest time in recharging. Maybe taking the weekend off seems close to impossible for you, but even a simple hour or two just to yourself...not to cross off tasks or 'get things done', just to rest, will do wonders.

Rest can give us renewed energy, creativity, and a clearer sense of purpose or perspective. One of my favorite places to find rest is by the ocean. It's no secret that I love the beach and being by the water is a wonderful place to let the mind relax and wander. Where do you like to go to get some peace and quiet? There's a great quote from Jim Rohn that says, "Make rest a necessity, not an objective. Rest should only be a necessary pause in the process of preparing for an assault on the next objective and the next discipline." Too often I've thought of rest as a sign of weakness, when in actuality, it is a way to gain increased strength to continue on. Scripture tells us this, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29) It is so important that when we are weary or perhaps beginning to feel overwhelmed by the busyness of life's pace, we invest time in a brief pause to regain strength and stamina. If you've been running hard lately, this is your reminder to invest in rest from time to time. Don't get stuck in a constant cycle of harried task completion; relax, reset, and take a moment to breathe. You'll be stronger because of it.

6 comments

Couldn't have said it better this Monday morning! Thank you for the reminder to pause in life, and not just when we're busy. Why not make rest a part of our routine, just like we do with working out, eating, cooking, etc? I think the more you can find time to rest, the better you can be YOU!